How to Mix Patterns Like a Pro

How to make stripes, florals and checks actually get along.

Mixing patterns sounds scary, right? One wrong combo and suddenly it’s giving… children’s playroom on acid. But when it’s done well it looks effortless. Like you just happened to throw together a floral with a stripe and a tiny geometric and it all justworks.

It’s not magic. It’s just a few simple rules and a bit of trial and error!

Start with scale
The easiest mistake to make is putting patterns that all fight for attention. You want contrast in size: pair one big, bold pattern with something smaller and more delicate. Like a chunky check with a ditsy floral. Or a wide stripe with a tiny dot. I usually pick one large scale, one medium and one small scale.

Keep your colours in the same family
This doesn’t mean everything has to match, just that your patterns should feel like they belong in the same universe! Pick two or three main colours and build from there.

Break it up with solids
Give your eyes somewhere to rest. A solid cushion, a neutral wall, a bit of breathing space. Otherwise it gets chaotic, fast.

Try it out in real life.
Get samples. Lay everything out. On the floor, the bed, wherever. Does it feel good? Too much? Weird but somehow brilliant? Trust your gut.

Not everything has to match perfectly
A LITTLE tension is good. In fact, it’s what makes a space feel interesting. If it feels a bit unexpected, that’s probably a good sign.

So there you go. You can mix patterns. You just need a bit of balance, a bit of confidence and maybe one very cool cushion to tie it all together. And if it all goes wrong? Well that’s what returns are for.